Dera Ballan

Dera Sach Khand (Punjabi Gurmukhi: ਡੇਰਾ ਸਚ ਖੰਡ ਬੱਲਾਂ, Shahmukhi: ڈیرہ پالیسیاں کان بالا) is a religious social organization (dera) based in the village of Ballan near Jalandhar, Punjab, India. It was founded by devotees of Guru Ravidass.

Dera Sach Khand is a world-renowned religious place devoted to the cause of leading common masses to the spiritual path. The spiritual heads of the Dera have initiated millions of people and bestowed them with "Naamdaan". They have also adopted the mission of spreading the teachings and bani "sacred writings" of Guru Ravidass throughout India as well as in foreign countries.

The unique contribution of the Dera is that it has built a magnificent temple at the birthplace of Guru Ravidass at Seer Goverdhanpur Varanasi U.P. Now this Janam Asthan and as acquired the status of Ultimate Place of Pilgrimage for the Ravidassia community. Every year they gather in Lakhs on the occasion of Guruji's birthday. Now it is a desire of the whole Ravidassia community to bedeck this Place of Worship with gold so that it acquires the status which the religious headquarters of any community deserves.

The Dera has also built many Darbars in the name of Guru Ravidass in other states of India such as Sirsgarh in Haryana and Katraj in Pune. The Dera has also managed to split the Ravidassia community with its disrespect and flagrant disregard of protocol of Guru Granth Sahib of the Sikhs.

The Dera has built charitable hospitals and a school for providing health and education for the poor and needy. The Dera spreads the philosophy of Ravidass through the publication of various books, periodicals as well as visual media such as CDs, DVDs and tapes. The Dera encourages scholars who either carry out research on Ravidass or bring out publications on related subjects. Thus far 22 scholars have been awarded gold medals for their contribution in this area.

Started the movement of teaching the principles of Ravidassia Religion to devotees. Sant Baba Pipal Dass, who hailed from village Gill Patti, District Bathinda (Punjab). His original name was Shri Harnam Dass. His parents were of a religious nature. He was married to Bibi Shobhawanti. He and his wife had two sons named Shri Sewa Dass and Shri Sarwan Dass. After the sad demise of Bibi Shobhawanti, Baba Pipal Dass left village Gill Patti along with his son Sarwan Dass. After traveling through various villages Baba Pipal Dass reached village Sarmastpur near Jalandhar. After a short stay in this village he moved to the village of Ballan near Jalandhar. The people of Ballan showed utmost regard to Baba. Therefore, he decided to stay there along with his son Sarwan Dass at a place where the original Dera is situated at present. There was a dry Pipal tree near this place of worship. Baba Pipal Dass started watering this Pipal tree which ultimately became green in due course of time. People of the village, having seen this miracle, started calling Baba as Sant Pipal Dass.